Barbara Davidson

BARBARA DAVIDSON

Iowa City

Barbara L. Davidson, 58, of Iowa City, chose to end her suffering from Parkinson's disease on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. Her family will greet friends Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., in Iowa City. A celebration of Barbara's life will begin Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the church. Burial services will begin Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church and will continue to the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Cemetery near Northwood, Iowa.

Instead of flowers and plants, Barbara requested memorials be directed to Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services or Lutheran World Relief.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City is handling arrangements.

Barbara was born July 11, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Omer and Juanita (Hanson) Davidson. Raised in rural Northwood, Iowa, she graduated from high school and later moved to Iowa City in 1976 and attended the University of Iowa, where she received her B.A. in English and M.A. in anthropology, journalism and public health. Barbara was in the final stage of obtaining her doctorate in anthropology. She worked as assistant director of the Upward Bound Program of Student Services at the University of Iowa Hospital School, as well as a teaching assistant in anthropology.

She married Kenneth Bickner on June 21, 1985, in Iowa City. Barbara was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for 37 years, and was active with the Refugee Sponsorship Committee and the Peace and Justice Ministries. She also had served in the Peace Corps in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

In her later life, Barbara was a regular volunteer at The Crowded Closet in Iowa City.

Throughout her life, Barbara was a passionate learner and reader and could often be found at the local library reading books on science and anthropology. She enjoyed taking classes through the Senior Center on art, literature and religion.

Barbara had an amazing gift for conversation, and loved making friends and volunteering in the community.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Merit Bickner of Iowa City and Faith Bickner of Minneapolis; her parents, Omer and Juanita Davidson of Northwood, Iowa; brothers, Bruce Davidson (Linda) of Story City, Dean Davidson (Julie Verry) of Omaha, Neb., David Davidson of St. Lucas, Jonathan Davidson (Kendra) of Gretna, Neb., her sister, Kristin Davidson (Ted Peters) of Alexandria, Va.; her former husband, Kenneth Bickner of Des Moines; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thoughts may be shared with the family at www. lensingfuneral.com.